TMN: We are sitting back down with Odesza, 6 months after their last stop in Denver, to discuss all of the crazy changes that have happened since their last back to back sold out shows in Colorado (and yes, they sold out again this time around). Well, guys as always so good to see you again! Harrison, Clayton, talk to us about what has been happening since we last talked 6 months ago, I guess a big change is obviously you are now signed to a label, tell us about that whole coming to be…
Harrison: It was kind of a long process of us figuring out who would be the best fit and who really cared about our music. We wanted to make sure we didn’t team up with someone who used us as a quick trend. But Counter, which is the sub-label of NinjaTune, has been incredible to us. We have been working super close to them ever since we signed with them and everything is going great.
Clayton: Yeah the whole team there is pretty awesome and on board with what we are doing so it’s a really good thing for us.
TMN: As it should be, labels and artists getting along. You guys did a really cute little signing contract video, super cute. And since then, you released your album ‘In Return’.
Clayton: Yes she is out.
TMN: She is out, and I have to tell you guys, she is absolutely beautiful.
Harrison & Clayton: Ah, well thank you so much. She is sexy.
TMN: She is sexy. Talk to us about the album a bit because obviously it has been a huge success. Number one on multiple music charts, the songs individually and the album, how has that been for you guys?
Harrison: I think every time we release something we are really worried about it, that it might have a negative impact somehow? But we kind of stay true to what we want to do and have been lucky that people for the most part positively react to that because we know that can go either way. It has been pretty wild that people care this much and we have just kept our head downs and focused on making more music because it is so hard to do on the road. It is really hard to make music in a car…hungover is really hard.
TMN: I can imagine that is difficult especially while on tour with two other gentlemen making music on the bus as well? (Odesza just wrapped up their North American tour with Hayden James and Ambassadeurs).
Clayton: Yeah it can be tough.
TMN: Do you all jam band together? Banjos and what not?
Clayton: (Laughs) Well sometimes but it can be hard that way. We do have the acoustic guitar we like to bust out. ‘In Return’ was a long process; it took two years really to put together. We wanted to try new things like working with singers, which was a whole new process.
TMN: And you picked some fabulous vocalists.
Clayton: Yeah, I think they turned out pretty swell, they go well with our sound. We just tried to push ourselves and not be too static, you can’t be too comfortable. A lot of people liked it, we are pretty happy with it, so now its time to start making another album.
TMN: I was going to say, after you finish your American tour you are heading to Europe correct?
Clayton: Yeah all over Europe.
Harrison: I’ve never been there, kind of a sheltered human, so I’m really excited to go.
TMN: And then back to Australia?
Harrison: Yup going back there in February, doing a few festivals, and then heading to New Zealand. Hopefully meet Lorde and hang out.
TMN: Of course, just a typical day, kicking it with Lorde.
Harrison: (Laughs) Exactly. Just send her a text, or Twitter, or Emojis.
TMN: Maybe start with ‘I want to touch your hair’, I bet that would start things off well.
Harrison: (Laughs) Oh totally.
Clayton: We will have a month after Europe to relax and decompress but let’s be serious we probably won’t do that we will be working on music. But it will be good to be at home though and sleep in our own beds.
TMN: Of course. Now I think obviously people are curious as to what is next after all of this? You boys have such a unique sound, there aren’t really any artists out there who have anything close to you right now. So what do you think are the next steps for you both?
Harrison: Well thank you for saying that, that’s really awesome. We have a bunch of remixes coming out soon but I think the number one thing we have been doing it working on songs and some ideas of songs. We say, if this song could fit on ‘In Return’ we don’t continue with it because we want to make sure the next thing is something different. The number one problem we would have is repeating ourselves and that is why we work so well together is because we want to try different stuff. I think as soon as we find a sound that we are really into we will keep trying to perfect that idea. So a lot of experimentation.
Clayton: Also kind of want to head a more hip-hop direction, we have that kind of now but we want to figure out where to go with that. Maybe something a little heavier too because this one was so soft that we would love some contrast. Figuring it all out as we go.
TMN: Best way to do it, roll with your punches people. Let’s talk about all of those remixes that people make of your songs, there are so many, especially of ‘Say My Name’. But the thing is, they are all so good.
Harrison: I know! We have not even gotten to listen to all of them but there are many talented artists out there who made remixes.
TMN: Now you don’t have to say favorite but is there one remix that you have heard where you are like, wow, they really nailed this on the head?
Harrison: Well, Hayden and Ambassadeurs both had amazing ones.
Clayton: Yeah, RAC had a great one too. Hermitude as well.
TMN: All good ones, I believe we posted all of those. The RAC one is my bosses favorite, it is such a dance around the room remix.
Harrison: (Laughs) It is, I just love how he did the whole guitar thing with it. It is funny because he was live tweeting working on that song to us on Twitter through direct messages. He started by saying “I think I’m going to go acoustic on it” and that’s how it started, he’s really funny, super smart, really talented, it’s a honor that he would want to do remixes of our stuff.
TMN: Speaking of that, is there anyone coming up, that you are going to work with or want to work with?
Clayton: Oh, huge list of people.
Harrison: We look at Soundcloud daily for artists.
Clayton: Off the top though, Galamatias, we really like his stuff. We have been talking about doing a colab with Hayden, he actually sings on most of his tracks but no one knows it is him.
TMN: Wait a minute, that is him on those tracks? I’ve always been curious because he’s really good!
Harrison: He is! But yeah he doesn’t tell anyone it is him. And it’s funny because I was like, production is great, the singer is amazing and I asked him and he was like, it’s me. Even crazier, all of those tracks, first take recordings of him singing, each one.
TMN: Some people are blessed with those angel voices and can just lay down a melody the first time.
TMN: So New Years, you are playing at Snowglobe, which is going to be insane, the line-up this year is beyond impressive.
Clayton: I know, we are really excited to play that alongside Flume and Porter, they really went all out this year.
TMN: Where do you boys see yourselves in another 6 months?
Harrison: Everything has been going so well that I think we expect something bad to happen? I don’t know, I think if we continue to focus and don’t get caught up in the world so much, only good things can come to us. We are really open to collaborations and have had many people reach out to us so hopefully those all work themselves out.
Clayton: Yeah I think the best thing we can do is stay motivated and stay hungry, stay uncomfortable.
TMN: You both really like being uncomfortable don’t you?
Clayton: I mean, I would be uncomfortable being comfortable. If we don’t continue to push ourselves we will never know where we can go from here.
TMN: Well guys, as always, really love chatting with you both. Hope the rest of tour goes well and cannot wait to have you back in Denver.
Clayton & Harrison: Thanks so much, looking forward to it.
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